Drought like situation in entire Tripura

Agartala, Mar 29 (UNI) A severe drought like situtation prevails in the entire state of Tripura with no rainfall in the past 21 weeks.

Official sources said the state experienced rainfall last time on October 24 last year. The state usually experiences around 197mm of rainfall during this time. ''We have not experienced such a drought like situation in the state in the last 15 years,'' the sources pointed out.

They said lack of rainfall had led to serious drinking water crisis with water sources drying up. Besides, the boro cultivation in the state had been badly hit.

Though the local agriculture research centre had predicted scattered rainfall today it said the weather might continue to remain dry for another week.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has demanded that the entire state should immediately be declared as a 'drought prone state' because of the absence of rainfall and failure of the state government in dealing with the situation.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has already directed the concerned departments to ensure supply of tank waters to the villages in view of the drinking water crisis and to prevent water-borne diseases.

UNI RB BA YA DS1320